Welcome to Afronerd!
A new and needed web sanctuary for people of color with intellectual and artistic pursuits. In this blog we will be addressing interesting and varied subjects, i.e. current national/world affairs, culture, science, religion, politics, entertainment and literature(including graphic novels a/k/a comic books.....yes comics). We hope you enjoy the exchange of ideas.
Peace & Godspeed.

Mission

Welcome to Afronerd! A new and needed web sanctuary for people of color with intellectual and artistic pursuits. In this blog we will be addressing interesting and varied subjects, i.e. current national/world affairs, culture, science, religion, politics, entertainment and literature(including graphic novels a/k/a comic books.....yes comics). We hope you enjoy the exchange of ideas. Peace & Godspeed

Miscellaneous

Monday, May 31, 2010

Let's keep it simple, shall we? Join Max, Dburt and Daryll for another fun fact/pulp fiction filled broadcast of the Comic Shoppe show, tomorrow at 7pm eastern. We will be using our well honed graphic novel based knowledge to discuss the following: a SpinoffOnline.com article posits what would happen to Marvel (and by extension Disney) if the Kirby estate were to win its intellectual property lawsuit against the vaunted House of Ideas; more info concerning DC/Warner movie release dates for proposed characters (inc. The Flash); Wanted's James McAvoy is slated to play a young Professor Xavier in the next X-Men reboot; more discussion of cross racial casting thanks to Community's Donald Glover (what if Spidey were Black?) and lastly, a synopsis of our favorite comic book reads from the preceding week. Feel free to give us a call live at 646-200-0104 or via email/Im-thecomicshoppe@yahoo.com. See you guys at the Shoppe! Imperius Rex!

Oh and if time permits, we may have to give a few minutes to discuss The Boondocks season 3 has been progressing thus far:

Monday, May 17, 2010

I'm sure our readers and supporters (even our detractors) have been wondering about our interview schedule, so make sure to stop by this upcoming Sunday as we welcome author, Thomas Chatterton Williams, to discuss his latest literary effort, Losing My Cool: How a Father's Love and 15,000 Books Beat Hip-hop Culture. You may be familiar with Mr. Chatterton for an earlier critique of modern hip hop culture in a Washington Post op-ed entitled, Black Culture Beyond Hip Hop. Now fast forward three years and the minstrelsy continues with unfettered verve. Here's an excerpt from a ExpressNightOut.com piece, highlighting Chatterton's new treatise:

THOMAS CHATTERTON WILLIAMS' father, "Pappy," pretty much solidified his son's fate when he named him after the 18th century English poet. And Williams has never wavered in his dedication to the craft — or second-guessed his father's wisdom.

"Ever since I was old enough to speak, he always told me that I was a writer and that I could write," Williams said. "There were books all over the house, and I was always told that I could write and that it was something good to do. So when I finally did it, it wasn't so strange or bizarre."

But Williams, who left Fanwood, N.J., to attend Georgetown University for a degree in philosophy and then graduated from New York University with a master's in journalism, spent his teenage years immersed in a hip-hop culture that tried to undermine everything his father had taught him. That struggle, and Williams' eventual decision to fully break away from a life of baggy jeans and being "real," is documented in his first book, "Losing My Cool: How a Father's Love and 15,000 Books Beat Hip-Hop Culture."

"I still listen to some hip-hop and I still have black friends, but once my freshman year of college came around, I never had the same relationship [with hip-hop]," Williams said. "It didn't define me or hold me the way it had before."

For the ExpressNightOut article in its entirety, click on the link below:

Stay tuned for another passionate comic/fantasy discourse, courtesy of the Comic Shoppe radio show, tomorrow at 7pm eastern. Join Daryll, Max and myself as we shed some light on the following pulp related topics: more discussion centered on a Comics Alliance article entitled, The Racial Politics of Regressive Storytelling; our thoughts on the Red Hulk (and by extension the Red She-Hulk) identity finally being revealed; Marvel's Siege storyline also has its own dramatic climax; theories pertaining to some TV season finales (i.e. Smallville, Fringe, Chuck) as well as some cancellations (hint...Heroes) and lastly, our top graphic novel reads from the previous week. Feel free to drop in for a chat "live" via phone-646-200-0104 or email/IM-thecomicshoppe@yahoo.com. And remember...Make yours the Comic Shoppe!

And now, what you've all been waiting for.....some words of wisdom, thanks to The Comic Shoppe's own Daryll B:

1) Bye Bye Heroes: http://www.spinoffonline.com/2010/05/14/its-official-nbc-cancels-heroes/ in other similar news I was shocked to hear Law and Order get the boot also.

2) Wish I could say I was shocked at the latest turn in the DC vs Siegels case, but I not: http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2010/05/superman-attorney-accuses-warner-bros-of-a-smear-campaign/

3) Props to Greg Burgas at CBR on his article I'm a Marvel....and I'm a DC: http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/05/16/im-a-marvel-and-im-a-dc/ SO comic fans, do you favor one company over another? And why?

4) You folks know the love I have for the webcomic Comic Critics and this past week's one about the recent comics piracy site shut down nailed the story on the head http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/05/14/comic-critics-117/

5) Rest in peace Ryan Choi...I won't paste any of the articles dealing with his "passing" last week but safe to say if you are a comic fan and you heard Dburt's and my arguments about this type of thing on previous shows, it WILL get brought up again.

6) Here is the detailed list of deleted scenes/differences from the adaptations, trailers and commercials of Iron Man 2: http://www.4thletter.net/2010/05/iron-man-2-the-deleted-scenes/ courtesy of Gavok at the 4th Letter.

9) Maxim does a hottest 100 women in the world list and DOESN'T include Beyonce or Halle Berry??? What the....? http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=5180775

10) Smallville and Fringe both had me scratching my head for different reasons this week but the Supernatural season ender...what the HELL was that???? They better get another season to explain this latest mind-frak!!!!

In case you haven't heard:

Smallville: Absolute Justice featuring Checkmate and the JSA re-airs this week on the CW

Monday, May 10, 2010

Let's jump in...the water's warm! Join The Comic Shoppe team tomorrow at 7pm eastern as we discuss all things pulp! The obvious issue will be our impressions of the Iron Man sequel but we will also cover the following: the future of 3D film making; more talk (again) of a Luke cage film being developed; more on the return of The Boondocks; some of Daryll B's links (below) and lastly, our favorite comic/graphic novel reads from the preceding week. Don't forget to drop us a line as the broadcast is LIVE! Dial 646-200-0104 or contact us vis email/im-thecomicshoppe@yahoo.com! And remember....Imperius Rex!

Hiya Party People... I must say I am glad not to be in the Iron Man 2 universe..I would have been blown up on the last day of the "Stark Expo"....but I digress...here are my quick hits for you:

Speaking of IM2

1) Jill Pantozzi has an interesting viewpoint on the comic movie "other woman" syndrome as it relates to Iron Man 2 http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/05/05/iron-man-2-and-the-other-woman-scenario/

2) Loved the movie and although there are obvious plot holes (Cap's Shield or was that U.S. Agent's?!?!?!?) it seems I wasn't the only one....133 million+ domestic gross giving it a 290+ million first week combined worldwide.

3) Men In Black III or Bad Boys III? Looks like Will Smith has got a choice to make... and scan this article lower for the RZA/Eli Roth Kung Fu picture news... http://www.411mania.com/movies/columns/138519

4) As far as the trailers before the film goes, I loved the look of Inception. Despicable Me I think I will pass on. Super 8 looks like Cloverfield meets The Thing and I had the pleasure of seeing the latest The Last Airbender trailer... yeah I am SO seeing that...although I am wary of them fast forwarding through 20+ chapters of the anime in one movie....

5) Tired of a fanboy-ish view of comic news and craving something more intellectual? My latest blog recommendation to you all is "Too Busy Thinking About My Comics". This is the blog for you deep thinkers. Two great examples of this is last Friday's one comparing and contrasting the Lee/Ditko Peter Parker vs Bendis' Ultimate version:

6) I watched Meet Dave again over the weekend followed by GalaxyQuest and I have to wonder this: why all the hate for M.D. and why all the love for GQ? They had essentially the same joke structure and dramedy elements. So why the difference in reviews?

7) If you have not seen it yet, Comic Book Resources writer has been running a "readers vote for the greatest stories ever told" series of columns: http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/category/the-greatest-stories-ever-told/ Up this week are George Perez, Magneto, Chuck Dixon, Ed Brubaker and Changeling

8) Um I still in a little shock from what I read here: http://www.spinoffonline.com/2010/05/07/liam-gallagher-producing-a-beatles-movie-oh-dear/ Yep you read that right... Liam Gallagher doing a last days of the Beatles movie... I think the British section of internet just crashed...

9) I'm sorry to all who don't know this by now but the Weeping Angels from Doctor Who are probably the scariest villains created for any science fiction, TV or movie, in the last 10 years.

10) I will close up the blog with this one question cribbed from the fine lads at The Weekly Crisis: Which "b-list" hero would you like to see get the movie treatment next? http://www.weeklycrisis.com/2010/05/top-10-tuesdays-ten-marvel-b-movies.html They stopped at Marvel but I opening it up to all books. Personally I would mark out for Runaways, Booster Gold, and a Dynamo 5 or Noble Causes movie...

This has been Daryll B. faithful Afronerd readers and until next time, Keep Fantasizing!!

Monday, May 03, 2010

As always, it's time to keep it structured and succinct! Join Daryll, Max and yours truly tomorrow evening at 7pm eastern to discuss the following pop culture tinged issues: our expectations for Iron Man 2, which is slated for its domestic release this Friday (it was released a week prior in the international markets, grossing 100 million thus far); our impressions of both The Family Guy's recently aired 150th episode and the Boondocks 3rd (potentially last) season opener; a recent Comic Book resources article posits when is it time to drop or refrain from reading a particular book; Ed Brubaker's graphic novel effort, Incognito gets the green light treatment and our weekly discussion regarding our latest comic book purchases. So don't be shy..call us live with your comments and/or protestations at 646-200-0104 oe via email/IM at thecomicshoppe@yahoo.com. See you guys (and gals) at the Shoppe broadcast at 7pm sharp! Excelsior!

Iron Man 2 week so let me do the usual 10 shots across the Comic/Sci-Fi bow:

1) I opened this kettle of worms on last week's show and well New York Congressman Peter King fell right in http://www.deadline.com/2010/05/time-square-bombs-south-park-connection/#more-37587

2) Really CW? Another La Femme Nikita remake??? Mannnnn...well at least McG is being attached to the product and honestly judging by "Chuck", that's a great choice.

3) R.I.P. Lynn Redgrave.....Great lady...great actress.

4) Let the total guessing for IM2 begin http://www.deadline.com/2010/05/bulletproof-iron-man-2-already-grosses-10-million-overseas-155m-predicted-for-north-american-debut-weekend/

5) Kind of melancholy weekend for me...celebrated my birthday on Friday but lost a valued debate opponent in Alan Coil from the CBR comments sections. Alan always argued his points with an intelligent style and class that you could not to help but to gain a new knowledge about comics and fantasy. Thank you Alan, I hope to one day have 1/5th of the knowledge you had. http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/05/03/r-i-p-alan-coil/

6) Boondocks premiere was on the nose about Obama and the hype/delusion that surrounded his entry into office. Best scene: Thugnificent on the Bill Maher Show. CLASSIC!

7) So how much does it take for you to drop a book? Well Sean T. Collins at Robot 6 links two interesting opinions about Blackest Night and Herogasm. As always, I have to give it up to the CBR commenters who bring a keen insight to the issue. http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2010/04/with-comics-what-makes-you-say-okay-thats-enough/

8) Credibility check....I liked Death at a Funeral and Nightmare on Elm Street but as with Brave and the Bold #33 and Transformers, once I start analyzing WHY I liked them, my own arguments fall apart on me. I just have to be straight up with you all about this.

9) Terry Crews and Ice Cube together on a sitcom...I am either going to laugh my booty off or go into angry, disappointed shock. And is there any other rapper who has undergone as radical a change as Ice Cube and STILL remained popular?

10) Finally, Heroes season 5 is one the verge of approval but the folks at Topless Robot found a couple of things to manage their disappointment of that news... New G.I.Joe cartoon http://www.toplessrobot.com/2010/05/some_of_the_things_you_need_to_know_about_the_new.php and the Top 10 Bada$$ Batman comic moments http://www.toplessrobot.com/2010/04/batmans_10_most_incredibly_badass_comic_moments.php debatable and great fun.